The Jossverse vs other TV

[Allan]

There are many Joss fans here, though I'm chasing opinions from everyone here.

What is it that makes the Jossverse great, compared to most of the stuff on TV, or on the flipside of that for those insane people ( ), what makes it so crappy? Or have you seen the shows, and thought "meh, they're just TV shows"?

For me, it's the characters, and just how honest the stories are. They all have meaning, and they all seem personal.

[Laura]

The characters are probably the biggest element for me as well. I have different opinions of each. Some are funny, some brave, some heroic, ect. I also loved seeing a girl as the hero, since I could connect to it more. It happens sometimes, yes, but I loved seeing it in a show that I loved so much.

Also the plot, also as you mentioned. I mean, I didn't even see the seasons in order, yet I found myself confused, surprised, angry, and upset as various times. If a show can continue to inflict such emotions on me over a long period of time, it is a sign to me that it is an awesome show. I was never bored, never tired of the characters, and I was also never mad at the writers. They always pulled through!

[Kana]

I think it's that they dared to do something different. The were not confined to the usual paradigm and it made for interesting television. The great thing was is that they could tell an honest, 'real' story but also push the boundaries and create something fantasticical at the same time.

Aside from that as it's been said, great characters and god story telling. The great thing is that there are so many threads on who is your favourite character or ship on forums which proves how invested people are in the show and he how it gains interest. Good thread.

[Bre]

I think it's everything. The characters and the language are brilliant and like Paulo said they tried something different, and throughout the series they continued doing new things.

But I will say this ... don't shoot me, but Lost just moved up on my list two third best TV show, replacing Firefly. If Firefly was longer it would be better, but Lost beats it.

[shred]

Largely, it's the storyline. That's what got me to watch Buffy every week. To make a tacky storyline like a blond girl fighting vampires so compelling and engaging is not a easy feat. It's then the characters that got me hooked to the show.

But I think the main reason why Jossverse is - in a way - superior to the other shows is its boldness and how it dares to take on different issues. The show thinks out of the box and you don't see many TV shows doing that.

[Lizzie]

I think it's the whole complex worlds Joss has create - the characters and fascinating storylines. Even the world Jossverse episodes are still good TV (well, mainly).

[Deleted]

I think it's the whole universe of the shows. Any show that can suck me into it's world, characters, culture, history...no matter what genre it would fall into...that's a quality show.

And, with the Jossverse specifically, I think it certainly helped that he did try new things with the shows.

[Bre]

They definitely took some risks. With casting newbies or trying something new with an episode (OMWF for example), they took risks. And for the most part it worked, while other shows might take risks, but stupid risks, Joss took smart risks.

[buffymanic]

It paved the way for so many new shows as well, granted a lot of them will never be as good as Buffy or Angel but Joss got tv out of a rut and made it more exciting whilst still being serious when needed

[Amber]

I like the fact that while it was supernatural it was still...well, realistic. It wasn't too far out there...just out there far enough. If that makes sense.

[Allan]

The situations mightn't be realistic, but the characters reactions are.

[shred]

And it's always interesting to see how the writers link the monsters they have to face to real life problems. And they do it so well even.

[Forsaken]

There are many things that make Joss' shows great. They do an amazing job of blending genres and styles in one show. For example Buffy is a horror/comedy/drama with other things often mixed in. Also his shows don't assume it's viewer is dumb. A lot of tv treats it's audience like a slow child that has to be led thru the plot with a trail of bread crumbs. Most of the Jossverse material is treated like true quality literature, while the rest of tv (mostly) is romance paperbacks and second rate trashy novels. It shows respect for his audience.